The North State's first winter storm is expected to hit from Dec. 1st through Dec. 4th. With this, it's important to prepare beforehand and know information on how to stay safe in this winter weather.
KRCR spoke with Caltrans about how they go about these kinds of storms. The answer was simple, they make sure all their equipment and employees are ready to tackle whatever weather might come.
Interstate 5 or I5 is known as the main highway and depending on storms, can be closed down and It's not necessarily due to weather. Closures happen to these main freeways because oftentimes people's cars cannot handle the weather and this can cause a buildup of cars, create accidents and ultimately create a chain effect of backups, forcing officials to close major highways.
KRCR spoke with Caltrans; Redding North maintenance supervisor, KC Harris who said, “They are calling for about a foot of snow up in Shasta. The main thing we want people to know is to be prepared and have a full tank of fuel; make sure you have chains and you know expect to have delays you know and drive slow you know we just got to drive carefully.”
Harris added that when there is heavy traffic and build-up in snow, their heavy equipment and snow plows need to get through so they advise to go slow and move out of the way for their service vehicles.
California Highway Patrol spoke with KRCR on if I5 were to close down, should people take alternate highways? CHP recommends that if it comes to that then secondary highways like 299 or highway 89 would be way harder to travel on and it is not recommended to take these routes when I5 is closed. This is because I5 is their main priority, and secondary highways like those are far less plowed and would result in your car getting stuck with even less opportunity for help to reach you. CHP also mentioned if you don't have to travel then they advise you to stay off the roads this weekend.
Don't think that just because you have 4 wheel drive car or truck you can just go anywhere,” Harris added that people tend to push their luck when it comes to big trucks or cars. “People like to think it's optimistic and then snow is gonna get less and I can get through this. We want to remind people that snow thickens up, especially the higher the elevation you get to. You're more than likely going to end up getting stuck as more and more accumulates on the highway the further north you go.
California Highway Patrol Sergeant Scott Niemith said, there are many resources available to stay updated on routes and information, and one way is to listen to the precautions.
“If we are asking you not to travel or we are asking you cause the roads are closed or we as asking you to have chains, we want you to make sure to have that equipment.”
Sargent Neimith added just how important chains are during these kinds of storms and that following instructions can be so crucial to your safety. Doing your part during storms like this can make everyone else’s job easier.
Caltrans has around 260 snow removal vehicles and after the winter season, almost every single one of them needs some kind of repairs. This can be largely due to tire chain damage getting caught in the plow vehicles. Caltrans equipment repair manager, Loren Swenson, told KRCR about this damage. "We see a lot of tire chain damage because drivers don't take them off when they are supposed to and then our machies either have to plow them out of the way or our snow blowers have to move them and it just causes a lot of damage."
This happens every winter season, so how much would it cost? According to Caltrans every year on average costs around 500,000 dollars in damages and wear and tear. Last winter alone costing 587,000 dollars in repairs, so knowing how to properly attach and remove chains can be extremely helpful.
We are going through all our trucks and vehicles making sure everything's working right now. All our crews are geared up and ready to go.” Harris added “we started earlier this week and just made sure we got everybody lined up and we are ready for it so bring it on.
Roads are predicted to be slick from Dec. 1th until Dec. 4th, both Caltrans and CHP recommend that if you don't have to travel, please stay home and stay off the streets. If you must drive then stay slow and steady and listen to official recommendations on roads, chains, and other advisories.